Guelder Rose Cramp Bark Decoction

Guelder rose Cramp Bark Concoction (viburnum opulus)

L.Moore.Fig 3. Cramp Bark Decoction 

L.Moore. Fig 1&2 dried bark crushed & put in a jar

This is a wonderful drink. It is a bright red soothing drink and it is taken from the bark of the Guelder rose tree. Most books suggest taking the bark in April/May but I have been taking mine in Jan/Feb and it is truly wonderful. I can't tell you how incredible this tree is. It has the most outstanding scarlet berries in late summer and wonderful flowers in the spring and of course the tree bark. All of these can be used in all sorts of delicious exciting ways which I will introduce in new posts (i.e jellies, cordials, jams etc.). What is extraordinary about the bark is the many medicinal qualities it offers the body. The bark has been used as an anti-spasmodic, a sedative and an astringent.

Cramp Bark has a reputation as a relaxer of muscular tension and spasm and it has two main areas of use. 'Firstly in muscular cramps and secondly in ovarian and uterine muscle problems'. (Hoffman 1990, p 194).  According to David Hoffman, in his book Holistic Herbal: a safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies (1990) Cramp Bark will relax the uterus and so relieve painful cramps associated with periods (dysmenorrhoea). It may also be used 'to protect from threatened miscarriage. Its astringent action gives it a role in the treatment of excessive blood loss in periods and especially bleeding associated with the menopause.' I have also read it  has been used for arthritis, muscle tension in skeletal muscles, back pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and high blood pressure. In the book Hedgerow Medicine Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies (2008) Julie Bruton-Seal  & Mathew Seal cramp bark helps in rheumatic conditions where the pain is from tension rather than inflammation, easing the pain and improving blood flow to the affected area.    

Reference
Bruton-Seal, J&M. (2008) Hedgerow Medicine:Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies, Merlin Unwin Books, (p. 62).
Hoffman, D. (1990) Holistic Herbal: A safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies, Harper Collins Publishers, (p. 194)

Cramp Bark Decoction

Method
Use a small knife to remove the bark in short strips, taking care not to take too much from any branch. Do not ring the limb or it will die. The bark can be used dried or fresh. I dried mine out on a clean sheet of paper in my kitchen which took about four days. The bark begins to dry with a lovely orange tinge to it. When it dried out I placed it in a plastic bag and bashed it with a rolling pin to break it up into tiny pieces and placed them in a dry glass jar.

Making your decoction
Put about 1-2 tablespoons of bark in a pan and cover with water (enough for about a large cup of tea). Bring to the boil and then simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You will notice the water turn  a lovely red/orange color. Turn off the heat and sieve into a glass or cup and drink with honey if desired. It is an acquired taste but not unpleasant. You can take this twice a day if needed.

I have had this many times and I really find it soothing on the stomach. I read somewhere it acts like an aspirin on the stomach. I am not sure if you are allergic to aspirin whether it would affect you so I would probably stay away from cramp bark.  It is always best to be safe. However I find it a good relaxant for the stomach. Below are two images of the Guelder rose tree taken in October 2015 with the berries on. I took my bark in January 2016.

L.Moore Fig.4. Guelder Rose Tree taken in Oct

L.Moore Fig. 5. Berries on the tree (Oct 2015)